Further homes for hamlet if new plans get the green light

Concerns have been raised after another housing application was submitted for a hamlet near Ponteland.

Mr A Woodruff and A Ross recently put forward an outline bid to build 15 new properties on land north east of Green Rigg in Medburn.

The area already has approvals in place for 37 homes, including 18 at an adjacent site and 14 executive dwellings for land east of The Nursery (both are outline planning permission).

An objection to the latest proposal for Medburn has been lodged by Ponteland Town Council.

Its submission says: ‘The construction of 15 more dwellings in addition to the approved construction of 37 new dwellings would have an overwhelming and detrimental impact on this small settlement and the C345, which is a narrow country lane and the only access road.

‘Medburn is a small settlement without any services, only a limited bus service and poor paths for cyclists and pedestrians.

‘The dwellings would have a detrimental impact on the agricultural/rural and undeveloped character present in this part of the settlement and they would constitute new housing development on greenfield land in a part of Medburn where only infill development on brownfield sites is permitted.’

Neighbouring residents have also criticised the plans, including Yvonne Moore.

She said: “Medburn is a small hamlet of individual styled country properties where the houses are unique and non-uniform and it would be completely spoilt by the building of a modern housing estate of 33 houses grouped together in modern housing patterns.”

Those opposing the bid have also raised issues that they believe need to be addressed, such as surface and foul water drainage, road access and housing types and density.

The site lies to the rear of the dwelling known as Aldersyde.

In the design and access statement, the applicants say: ‘A detailed layout of any proposal will meet spacing standards and will not cause any harm to the amenity of any existing dwellings neighbouring the site.